Date of use : 1906 Austria

Letter to Jules Richard, Inventor of Verascope

This postcard represents an interesting example of commercial communication related to photographic technology in Europe during the early twentieth century. The printed heading "Korrespondenz-Karte" on the front indicates that the item was a standard postal card issued by the postal administration of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The postage stamps affixed to the card have a denomination of five heller, a monetary unit that formed part of the Austro-Hungarian currency system during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

The postal cancellation indicates that the card was mailed from Klumendorf am Wörthersee, a settlement located in the Carinthian region of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, near Lake Wörthersee. The date visible on the postmark is 5 July 1906. This period corresponds to the final decades of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and coincides with a time when photographic technology was rapidly spreading throughout Europe.

The postcard was addressed to Jules Richard in Paris, with the address given as 25 Rue Mélingue. Jules Richard was a significant figure in the French photographic industry during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The company founded by Jules Richard (1848–1930) became widely known for the production of stereoscopic photographic equipment. One of the firm's most notable products was the Verascope camera, designed to produce stereoscopic images that created the illusion of three-dimensional depth. These cameras gained considerable popularity among amateur photographers and played an important role in the development of stereoscopic photography across Europe.

The handwritten message on the reverse side of the card is written in French and indicates that the sender is requesting a catalogue from the Jules Richard company. The writer explains that he has been working with a stereoscope for some time and expresses interest in the company's new products. For this reason he politely asks that the large catalogue for the year 1906 be sent to him. Requests of this kind were common in the early photographic trade. Photographic cameras and optical devices were frequently ordered through mail correspondence, and manufacturers distributed printed catalogues to present their product ranges and technical specifications.

A stamp bearing the word "Photographie" is also visible on the card. This marking may indicate that the sender was professionally or semi-professionally involved in photography. It may also have served as a practical indication that the correspondence related specifically to photographic equipment or materials.

The signature at the bottom of the card appears to read G. Potaple Lochner or a similar form, although the handwriting makes a precise identification uncertain. The sender's location is noted as Klumendorf am Wörthersee, confirming the Austrian origin of the correspondence.

In the broader economic context of the period, the photographic industry was expanding rapidly across Europe. Advances in camera design and improvements in photographic materials made photography increasingly accessible to amateur users. Major urban centers such as Paris, Berlin, Vienna, and London became important hubs for the manufacture and distribution of photographic equipment. Companies such as Jules Richard marketed their products internationally through illustrated catalogues and postal communication networks.

From a philatelic perspective, the postcard represents a typical example of Austro-Hungarian postal stationery. The two five heller stamps likely correspond to the postal rate required for international correspondence. The marking "Reçu – 6 Juil. 1906" visible on the card probably represents a receipt stamp applied upon arrival in Paris, confirming the delivery of the correspondence.

This item is documented as part of the Photography in Postal History research project.
For research context, see the Research Methodology.
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